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hand picked restaurants

Clarice House is a small chain of exclusive health clubs, and residential and day spas, all situated in classic country houses in parkland settings. The Colchester branch offers all these and more in the form of Juniper, its prestigious AA Rosette restaurant.

The stylish interior offers lovely views of the well-kept grounds and with its soft lighting, calming colour scheme and soothing background music, Juniper is a promising place for romance or that special evening meal.

The British restaurant ensures diners are spoilt with a new and fun food experience under the leadership of Chef Paul Boorman. Starters include warm pigeon and chilli-poached pear salad, roast beetroot risotto, and the more unusual, molecular prawn cocktail.

The mains rest on the able shoulders of poached duck, venison, sea bass, and hare, which are served with an array of colourful sauces and vegetables. The dessert menu is equally celestial, with an impressive white chocolate and pistachio creme brulée,flambéed theatrically by Juniper's enthusiastic staff.

A selection of aperitifs, fine wines and champagne, all priced well, complement your meal.

The appeal of freshly prepared homemade local food never diminishes and the Farmcafe capitalises on this fact to bring an array of delicious, modern British fare in their roadside restaurant which is a popular pit stop for those on the A12. They are passionate about using produce that has been sourced locally and diners can enjoy the food in the restaurant or visit the food market, selling all the wonderful ingredients used in the menus. Simple and unpretentious, this eatery offers a down to earth atmosphere and a large garden for al fresco dining.

Drop by in the morning for a full breakfast with sausages, bacon, eggs, grilled mushrooms, sautéed kidneys - the full works. For lunch you could opt for the mixed seafood and herb fishcake served on a bed of salad leaves or various savoury pies and puddings which are accompanied by onion gravy, mash and chips. Finish with the coffee and walnut cake, and beverages include teas, coffees, beers and lagers.

The Shepherd and Dog in Stowmarket is simple and unpretentious but there's also an air of casual sophistication in the atmosphere, leaving you with the impression that you've entered somewhere special indeed. This remarkable country pub provides an excellent dining experience with its range of delicious, home cooked fare sourced from fresh, local produce. The bar provides a more informal ambience, definitely a spot for lounging with friends and nibbling on tasty snacks.

The AA rosette awarded restaurant offers British and French cuisine with the proverbial twist, and starters could typically be tian of avocado and crayfish with lemon, cucumber and tomato mayonnaise. Moving on to the main course, there's the grilled fillet of salmon with carrot puree, topped with a ginger, lemon and mango vinaigrette and the brandy snap basket with vanilla ice cream and nectarines in hot butterscotch sauce rounds off the meal with aplomb. The eclectic wine list offers choices from across the world with some priced quite reasonably.

The King's Head is a 13th century pub, a historic landmark in the picturesque town of Orford with its huge Norman castle looming in the distance, enchanting people with its spectacular and rich history. This friendly and down to earth pub attracts locals as well as visitors for their marvellous food and drink and the latter will find the accommodation to be simple yet clean, bright and comfortable. The fare at the pub is dictated by the seasons as well as the land's ability to provide local produce and the emphasis is on simple but flavourful ingredients.

Traditional food rules the menu and you might get to see starters of Orford smoked mackerel with horseradish cream and mustard sauce followed by a hearty main course of pan seared loin of local venison, celeriac gratin, red currant and pepper jus. Finishing touches include a dessert of iced orange sherbet, rich chocolate mousse and brandy cherries. The King's Head drinks list includes a remarkable selection of wines, beers and real ales.

Pizza Express remains a hugely popular bedrock of casual eating. Its popularity is testimony to the fact that across the country, they have restaurants where you will always be guaranteed a good nosh, with children's tastes being well catered for.

Pizza Express has gone even more Roman, and following the success of that particular example of listening to their public have introduced Romana pizzas, including the scorching Etna and the hearty Siciliana.

These pizzas are now thinner, bigger and crispier, and if that sounds like a marketing line, it is. However, unlike many such lines, this one is true, and their quality is always consistent, though cleverly they have still managed to retain a homemade feel to their pizzas.

As an alternative to pizza, try their pollo pesto - cavatappi pasta with torn chicken breast, mushrooms, red onions and mozzarella in a creamy gruyere, parmesan and pesto sauce and finished with grana padano - or the niçoise salad with mixed leaves, yellowfin tuna, free range egg, green beans, potatoes and tomatoes with olives, anchovies, capers and house dressing.

Many of the big chains have come a long way, and Pizza Express is certainly amongst them. One of the first to be quoted on the Stock Exchange - in 1993 - Pizza Express is not a franchise operation and retains tight control through its own staff.

Their wine list - though short - contains some surprisingly good offerings, especially their intense Australian Chardonnay, and a big, full-bodied Merlot from Cusumano, Sicilia.

Rich in history and brimming over with romance of an era long gone by is St. Peter's Hall in Bungay, Suffolk which combines these dual aspects admirably with two more - superb food and drink, making it the ideal location for a special meal. The decor doesn't detract from the historical features because everything has been restored sympathetically, making this a unique venue for weddings and events. Managed by Wickedly Good Food caterers who provide a cornucopia of culinary delights to savour, they prove that they are as good as their name.

Amongst starters you might enjoy the game terrine featuring local pheasant and rabbit on a bed of rocket leaves with warm toast followed by a main course of fillets of local mature beef fillet served with baby vine tomatoes, smoked garlic and a vintage port jus. A dessert of crushed meringue with cream and raspberry coulis with fresh passion fruit excels on all counts and drinks include beers from their own brewery alongside an interesting wine list.